Week 11: Explore Two Tools

Chapter 9: Visualizing with Technologies


Tool: Photo Story 3/Digital Camera
A tool that can be useful in the classroom is Photo Story 3. This software can be a challenging software to students, however, once they get started they become very creative. Students will explore how to use visual images, text, and sound.  They will need to use these three elements to creative a cohesive presentation. This will develop a student's critical-thinking skills. First the students need to create the story, write it, organize the information for the story and finally create the story.  Students learn to work collaboratively and learn to "establish a connection between the creator and the viewer." Photo Story is a tool that can be used at any grade level. Any student can pick up a camera and create a story that will be meaningful for them.



Grade Level: 3rd Grade
Subject: Reading/Language Arts
Topic: Story Structure
Learning Objectives: Students will learn the elements of a story: plot, characters, setting, problem, solution
How students will use this tool: Students will fill create a written story in their writing notebooks. They will need to make sure that they include characters, setting, a problem, and a solution. Once their story is complete and they have all the elements needed for their story they will then take pictures of illustrations they have made or pictures of their friends acting out the parts of their story. They will then insert these photographs in Photo Story 3. After the images are uploaded in their project they can include the audio to their story. This is a great opportunity for the students to be creative and learn more about the important elements a story needs. 

Tool: Digital Cameras
Another tool that students can use are digital cameras. Digital cameras are very useful for students to think critically and be able to show others their perspective through their digital camera lens. They can explore the classroom and take a "field trip" around the school and capture images that can be later shared with their peers.  Students can use their creativity this way because everyone takes a picture differently. This tool promotes creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. The NET Standards that are met in a lesson like this one are creativity innovation, communication and collaboration, Research and Information Fluency, Critical thinking, problem solving and decision making.


Grade Level: 4th Grade
Subject: Math
Topic: Geometry (parallel lines, perpendicular lines, intersecting lines)
Learning Objectives: Students will be able to identify parallel, perpendicular and intersecting lines.
How Students Will Use this Tool:  In this scenario students will be divided in groups of 2-3. They will be going around the school and outside of the school to explore the different types of geometric lines: perpendicular, intersecting, and parallel. They will need to find at least 5 examples of these types of lines for each line. They will use the digital camera to take the pictures of each of these types of lines. When they are finished taking the pictures they will print out their photographs and will post them onto a poster to display to the class.